Autism Awareness: Identity, Language, and Support!

By: Kandice Ferrell
Date: April 15, 2024

April is Autism Awareness Month, and I recently had an opportunity to connect with James Orman, Program Coordinator at People on the Go Maryland (POGM). At POGM, James works with the public to raise awareness and share education about issues impacting people with disabilities. 

What makes you unique? 
As a person with autism, it is a lifelong journey and I was diagnosed late in life, learning of it in 2022. What that meant for me was that the vast majority of my life was managed without support or a full understanding of who I was. I struggled a lot over the years to understand myself and how to relate to others, and I’m able to bring that awareness to my work within communities, helping me to bridge the divide.  

For 36 years of my life, I considered myself neurotypical, so I take what I have learned from that perspective and relay the information in a way that multiple groups of people can understand. I have learned that it is not enough to speak or share information; we also have to ensure understanding. 

When you observe a disconnect between information shared and understood, is there a common thread?
That’s a great question, and broadly, it is about exposure. We are generally exposed to people who speak and think the way we do, and it is less common to be exposed to people from different lifestyles or “bubbles” early in life when we are developing our communication styles. Later, when we intersect with people differing from us for the first time, that is when misunderstandings can occur.  

I believe that no one is wrong when they don’t understand, it’s only wrong when a person learns and still chooses to remain ignorant. I use that perspective to try to bridge gaps through education, and one area of growth I often see is teaching others that we are people first, not defined by our disability. I identify as an autistic, but I am not “a disabled.” I am a person with a disability, that is person-first language. The word choices can seem nuanced, but they help to center each person as an individual first and their disability as secondary. 

You raise excellent points about language, which we know changes over time. Do you have any recommendations related to terminology?
I love this question, yes, language changes over time. The “R” word was commonly used once, and now we all understand that it is an unacceptable term. Neurodivergent is currently used to describe diverse brain functionality, but we are also seeing more use of “neurodistinct” instead of neurodivergent.

Some interpret the term divergent as inferring that there is a norm or one way of doing things, and diverging from that can imply a sense of being less than. Being neurodistinct implies that there is simply a difference, and I appreciate this evolving language.  

On an individual level, it is such a personal decision, and it is best to let each person guide that terminology for themselves. For example, if a person refers to themselves as an autistic, then that should be your language choice. If they refer to themselves as a person on the spectrum, then you would use that framing. If you are ever unsure, it’s great to just ask! 

Can you share a proud moment or achievement you’ve experienced? 
I’ve had many proud moments since receiving my autism diagnosis. It can be tough to be vulnerable because when you say, “I am different” in a world that requires similarity, you are doing something revolutionary. 

Honesty about your diagnosis is a bold decision, particularly when you may not present with demonstrative or physical indicators. Disclosing your diagnosis can and should be enriching but it can also make navigating life exponentially harder. Revealing my diagnosis has cost me jobs and growth opportunities, but I am so proud that none of that knocked me down. In fact, it has strengthened my resolve.  

I am intentional about being visible and identifying openly as autistic. I intend for people to see what it can look like to be autistic, and we’re not all the Rain Man (movie) stereotype. We are people on a wide spectrum, and we deserve to be seen as able individuals who can do anything that anyone else can do. I’m most proud of my persistence in the face of that adversity and being a voice for many against ableism, who out of concern for their livelihood may not be as vocal, or for those who may struggle with speaking. I am aware that I have communication abilities that others may not. 

In your experiences with employment, what high-level advice would you share regarding navigating discussions about autism? 
A question I receive often is, “I am autistic, how do I handle ableism and other workplace issues?”  

Every person’s situation is unique and unfortunately, they may need to mask, to maintain employment. I would be remiss to tell someone that they must disclose or speak out because people can and do lose their jobs due to this. Despite the American Disabilities Act establishing laws against this discrimination, enforcement mechanisms to guarantee employment after disclosing a diagnosis aren’t always available. It’s a very personal decision, and if someone senses that their workplace has issues, speaking up could make them a target. It is horrible to have to tell a person they may need to hide, but our role is to be realistic and inform them of all possible outcomes.  

Are there resources you can recommend for a person needing additional guidance?
There are a few. I encourage anyone with questions to get in touch with People on the Go for guidance on a wide array of helpful information about ableism in the workplace. Also, each week, in collaboration with the Autism Society of Baltimore—Chesapeake, I host a virtual Autistic Adult Group on Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET, where we share information. People can sign up to join here. 

I also recommend the Job Accommodation Network as a resource for free and confidential guidance on disability employment questions and issues. Lastly, anyone who wants to contact me directly is welcome to email me with any questions. We are all available to help navigate these and many other topics that can feel overwhelming without support.

What message would you like to share with others? 
We are way more similar than we are different. Our differences are important, special, unique and should be fostered. Our differences should be identified and included because this makes us all stronger as a human collective. Too often, we tend to say, “Oh, I’m with this group of humans and not with that group.” That can be okay, but we are also so much more than just a bunch of individual groups. We need to recognize that and come together to succeed as a species.